BOURNE — A new marine hospital at the National Marine Life Center in Bourne is planning to release its first animal back into the wild.

The center will release a juvenile female harbor seal at Scusset Beach in Sandwich on Sunday morning.

The seal stranded in Buzzards Bay in November with severe facial injuries. It was also suffering from dehydration and malnourishment.

The hospital placed the seal in intensive care, began a regular regimen of antibiotics and pain medication and cleaned her wounds. Workers also tube-fed the seal to help her regain strength.

The seal eventually began responding to the treatment and, crucially, showed she could successfully dive. Hospital workers had worried the seal's severe nose injuries would prevent her from being able to close her nostrils and dive.